VAUXHALL news.

When the Astra range was unveiled, Vauxhall shouted from the rooftops that its most frugal 1.6-litre CDTi ecoFLEX model was capable of emitting just 82g/km of CO2. But a couple of months on and the figures have been revised, and the reality isn’t quite as favourable, with 88g/km the newly quoted figure for hatchback editions. This results in the fuel economy on the combined cycle amounts changing from 91.2mpg to 85.6mpg - a reduction of 5.6mpg. Customers that have ordered vehicles based on the more favourable figures will no doubt be disappointed and perhaps question whether this was a deliberate ploy to hit headlines. And the same issue affects the most powerful 1.6-litre CDTi Biturbo editions with 108g/km previously quoted, whereas in reality the actual figure is now 111g/km. This not only results in a fuel economy figure that is 1.6mpg lower, but it also means an extra Ј10 per year to purchase the vehicle excise duty. Despite the amendments, the prices of all Astra models remain the same as before.

Tornado 302.

This fully faired version of the TnT 300, which is already available in India, is indeed headed for our shores. DSK Benelli top brass say that the bike will be seen at the upcoming Auto Expo 2016 in Delhi and will be launched for retail purchases in the new year. The bike is powered by the familiar 300-cc liquid-cooled parallel twin. Specs say that 34.5 PS and 27 Nm is available at the twist of your wrist. Under the fairing is Benelli’s trestle frame, which has already proven itself capable in the TnT 300. The bike gets 41-mm upside down (USD) front forks and a monoshock at the rear.

Caponord 1200 Rally.

At EICMA, Aprilia launched the Caponord 1200 Rally, which is a further variation of the Caponord 1200 that is already available (including in India). The Caponord 1200 Rally features ride-by-wire, dual-channel ABS, Aprilia Traction Control, Aprilia Dynamic Damping and Aprilia Cruise Control. Power comes from the 125-PS 1200 V-twin that propels the regular Caponord 1200.